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Comely Stakes
The Comely Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Open to three year old fillies, it is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile. The Grade III event offers a purse of $200,000.[1]
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1945 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA – Aqueduct Racetrack |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Track | Dirt, left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-old fillies |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $200,000 |
The race was named in honor of the filly Comely, who, in a remarkable performance as a two-year-old, defeated older male horses in winning the first running of the Fall Highweight Handicap in 1914. Going into 2019, she remains the only two-year-old to win the Fall Highweight Handicap and one of only a few two-year-olds to defeat older horses in a major stakes race.[2]
Inaugurated in 1945 at Jamaica Race Course, it was raced there through 1951 and again in 1959. For 1952 and 1953 it was hosted by the Empire City Race Track in Yonkers and Belmont Park in 1976, 1981, 1984, and again in 1985. There was no race run from 1954 to 1958. When revived in 1959 the race was open to two-year-olds of either sex and won by the 1960 Preakness Stakes winner, Bally Ache.[3] On April 30, 1975 the superstar filly and future Hall of Fame inductee Ruffian won the Comely by eight lengths in stakes record time.[4]
On May 11, 1985, Abigail Fuller became the first female jockey to win the Comely Stakes. She was aboard Mom's Command, a future Hall of Fame filly bred and raced by her father, Peter Fuller.[5]
The Comely was run in two divisions in 1953, 1963, and 1970.
Records edit
Speed record:
- 1:33.50 – @ 1 mile (8 furlongs) Bella Bellucci (2002)
- 1:21.20 – @ 7 furlongs Ruffian (1975)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Braulio Baeza (1962, 1963, 1967, 1970)
- 4 – Jorge Chavez (1995, 1996, 1998, 2004)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – H. Allen Jerkens (1976, 1994, 1997, 2004)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – Alfred G. Vanderbilt II (1951, 1953)
- 2 – Wheatley Stable (1960, 1970)
- 2 – William Haggin Perry (1963, 1964)
- 2 – George D. Widener Jr. (1965, 1969)
- 2 – Diana M. Firestone (1980, 1981)
- 2 – H. Joseph Allen (1982, 1989)
- 2 – Bohemia Stable (1994, 1997)
- 2 – Charles E. Fipke (2015, 2016)
Winners edit
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Win$ | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 1+1⁄8 M | $200,000 | G3 | |||||
| 2022 | Sixtythreecaliber | 3 | Kendrick Carmouche | Thomas M. Amoss | My Racehorse Stable & Spendthrift Farm | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:53.89 | $175,000 | G3 |
| 2021 | Bees and Honey | 3 | Jose Lezcano | J. Reeve McGaughey | Gainesway Farm & Andrew Rosen | 1+1⁄8 M | 1.54.41 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2020 | Mrs.Danvers | 3 | Jose Lezcano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Allen Stables Inc. | 1+1⁄8 M | 1.50.09 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2019 | Bellera | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Mathis Stables | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:52.91 | $110,000 | G3 |
| 2018 | Blamed | 3 | Julien Leparoux | William I. Mott | Cleber J. Massey | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:51.98 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2017 | Actress | 3 | José Ortiz | Jason Servis | Gary & Mary West | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:52.66 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2016 | Verve's Tale | 3 | Paco Lopez | Barclay Tagg | Charles E. Fipke | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:51.89 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2015 | Forever Unbridled | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:50.75 | $180,000 | G3 |
| 2014 | Snowbell | 3 | Luis Saez | Thomas Albertrani | Godolphin Racing | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:52.59 | $240,000 | G3 |
| 2013 | Wedding Toast | 3 | Javier Castellano | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:49.92 | $240,000 | G3 |
| 2012 | Broadway's Alibi | 3 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | E. Paul Robsham Stables | 1 M | 1:36.52 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2011 | Hot Summer | 3 | Luis Saez | David J. Fawkes | Harold L. Queen | 1 M | 1:35.58 | $90,000 | G3 |
| 2010 | Touching Beauty | 3 | Mike Luzzi | James A. Jerkens | Gainesway Farm & Joseph M. Cornacchia | 1 M | 1:37.90 | $60,000 | G3 |
| 2009 | Dream Play | 3 | Eddie Castro | Kiaran McLaughlin | Stewart Armstrong | 1 M | 1:39.51 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2008 | Sherine | 3 | Alan Garcia | Anthony W. Dutrow | Zayat Stables | 1 M | 1:37.25 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2007 | Boca Grande | 3 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1 M | 1:36.54 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2006 | Miraculous Miss | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | Steve Klesaris | Puglisi Stables & Steve Klesaris | 1 M | 1:36.67 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2005 | Acey Deucey | 3 | Diane Nelson | John D. Morrison | Jeffrey Tucker | 1 M | 1:35.95 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2004 | Society Selection | 3 | Jorge Chavez | H. Allen Jerkens | Irving & Majorie Cowan | 1 M | 1:35.89 | $67,200 | G3 |
| 2003 | Cyber Secret | 3 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Goldfarb et al. | 1 M | 1:35.97 | $64,740 | G3 |
| 2002 | Bella Bellucci | 3 | Gary Stevens | Neil D. Drysdale | Michael Tabor | 1 M | 1:33.50 | $64,920 | G3 |
| 2001 | Two Item Limit | 3 | Richard Migliore | Stephen L. DiMauro | Joseph Graffeo | 1 M | 1:36.17 | $66,060 | G3 |
| 2000 | March Magic | 3 | Richard Migliore | Richard Violette Jr. | Ralph M. Evans | 1 M | 1:36.79 | $65,460 | G3 |
| 1999 | Madison's Charm | 3 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Thomas A. Hauswald | Donald A. Adam | 1 M | 1:35.54 | $65,520 | G3 |
| 1998 | Fantasy Angel | 3 | Jorge Chavez | Martin D. Wolfson | Martin L. Cherry | 1 M | 1:37.44 | $69,300 | G3 |
| 1997 | Dixie Flag | 3 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 1 M | 1:36.96 | $66,120 | G3 |
| 1996 | Little Miss Fast | 3 | Jorge Chavez | Juan Serey | James A. Riccio | 1 M | 1:36.58 | $65,940 | G3 |
| 1995 | Nappelon | 3 | Jorge Chavez | Rene Araya | R Kay Stable | 1 M | 1:36.26 | $64,440 | G2 |
| 1994 | Dixie Luck | 3 | Filiberto Leon | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 1 M | 1:37.02 | $66,240 | G2 |
| 1993 | Private Light | 3 | Robbie Davis | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1+1⁄16 M | 1:44.19 | $68,280 | G2 |
| 1992 | Saratoga Dew | 3 | Herb McCauley | Gary Sciacca | Charles F. Engel | 1 M | 1:37.22 | $69,480 | G2 |
| 1991 | Meadow Star | 3 | Chris Antley | LeRoy Jolley | Carl Icahn | 1 M | 1:38.00 | $67,560 | G2 |
| 1990 | Fappaburst | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | Philip G. Johnson | Susan Kaskel | 7 F | 1:21.60 | $49,770 | G2 |
| 1989 | Surging | 3 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | H. Joseph Allen | 7 F | 1:23.00 | $52,290 | G2 |
| 1988 | Avie's Gal | 3 | Jorge Velásquez | John J. Lenzini Jr. | John Cioci | 7 F | 1:22.40 | $95,550 | G2 |
| 1987 | Devil's Bride | 3 | Rafael Meza | John Gosden | Oak Cliff Stable | 7 F | 1:23.60 | $65,790 | G3 |
| 1986 | Misty Drone | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | Alton H. Quanbeck | Maud McDougald | 7 F | 1:24.00 | $59,940 | G3 |
| 1985 | Mom's Command | 3 | Abigail Fuller | Edward T. Allard | Peter D. Fuller | 7 F | 1:22.20 | $55,170 | G3 |
| 1984 | Wild Applause | 3 | Pat Day | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 7 F | 1:23.20 | $52,110 | G3 |
| 1983 | Able Money | 3 | Antonio Graell | Anthony Russo | Faith Donnelly | 7 F | 1:23.80 | $35,580 | G3 |
| 1982 | Nancy Huang | 3 | Jorge Velásquez | Howard M. Tesher | H. Joseph Allen | 7 F | 1:24.40 | $34,860 | G3 |
| 1981 | Expressive Dance | 3 | Don MacBeth | LeRoy Jolley | Diana M. Firestone | 7 F | 1:23.40 | $35,220 | G3 |
| 1980 | Cybele | 3 | Cash Asmussen | LeRoy Jolley | Diana M. Firestone | 7 F | 1:22.60 | $27,225 | G3 |
| 1979 | Countess North | 3 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Stephen A. DiMauro | Michael Rutherford | 7 F | 1:23.40 | $25,725 | G3 |
| 1978 | Mashteen | 3 | Ruben Hernandez | Laz Barrera | Leslie Combs II | 7 F | 1:23.00 | $25,665 | G3 |
| 1977 | Bring Out The Band | 3 | Don Brumfield | James W. Murphy | Hickory Tree Stable | 7 F | 1:23.60 | $22,650 | G3 |
| 1976 | Tell Me All | 3 | John Ruane | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 7 F | 1:23.20 | $22,080 | G3 |
| 1975 | Ruffian | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. | Locust Hill Farm | 7 F | 1:21.20 | $16,755 | G3 |
| 1974 | Clear Copy | 3 | Daryl Montoya | Jerome Hirsch | Leon J. Hekimian | 7 F | 1:24.40 | $17,670 | G3 |
| 1973 | Java Moon | 3 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Lou Rondinello | Darby Dan Farm | 7 F | 1:22.80 | $17,610 | G3 |
| 1972 | Stacey d'Ette | 3 | John Ruane | Dave Erb | Dave Erb | 7 F | 1:21.60 | $16,290 | |
| 1971 | Forward Gal | 3 | Michael Hole | Warren A. Croll Jr. | Aisco Stable | 7 F | 1:23.40 | $20,460 | |
| 1970-1 | Predictable | 3 | Robert Ussery | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 7 F | 1:24.00 | $14,852 | |
| 1970-2 | Royal Signal | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Stephen A. DiMauro | Mrs. Lawrence W. Knapp Jr. | 7 F | 1:24.00 | $15,015 | |
| 1969 | Ta Wee | 3 | Eddie Belmonte | John A. Nerud | Tartan Stable | 7 F | 1:22.60 | $18,492 | |
| 1968 | Best In Show | 3 | Heliodoro Gustines | John H. Skirvin | Clearview Stable | 7 F | 1:22.40 | $19,240 | |
| 1967 | Gala Honors | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Clyde Troutt | Ada L. Rice | 7 F | 1:25.00 | $18,947 | |
| 1966 | Swift Lady | 3 | John L. Rotz | Burley Parke | Harbor View Farm | 7 F | 1:23.60 | $18,785 | |
| 1965 | What a Treat | 3 | John L. Rotz | Sylvester E. Veitch | George D. Widener Jr. | 7 F | 1:24.80 | $17,680 | |
| 1964 | Face The Facts | 3 | Manuel Ycaza | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 7 F | 1:23.80 | $18,525 | |
| 1963-1 | Pams Ego | 3 | Milo Valenzuela | J. P. "Sammy" Smith | Clear Springs Stable | 7 F | 1:23.80 | $11,456 | |
| 1963-2 | Lamb Chop | 3 | Braulio Baeza | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 7 F | 1:24.40 | $11,326 | |
| 1962 | Upswept | 3 | Braulio Baeza | Robert L. Dotter | James Cox Brady Jr. | 7 F | 1:24.60 | $15,438 | |
| 1961 | Seven Thirty | 3 | Hedley Woodhouse | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 7 F | 1:24.20 | $15,112 | |
| 1960 | Irish Jay | 3 | Eddie Arcaro | James E. Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable | 7 F | 1:23.00 | $18,680 | |
| 1959 | Bally Ache | 2 | David Erb | Jimmy Pitt | Leonard D. Fruchtman | 5 F | 0:59.20 | $11,362 | |
| 1954 –1958 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 1953-1 | La Corredora | 4 | Ira Hanford | Carl Hanford | Marian W. O'Connor | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.20 | $18,987 | |
| 1953-2 | Home Made | 3 | Eric Guerin | Bill Winfrey | Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.20 | $19,237 | |
| 1952 | Devilkin | 3 | William Boland | Max Hirsch | John W. Hanes | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:44.60 | $20,250 | |
| 1951 | Bed O' Roses | 4 | Eric Guerin | Bill Winfrey | Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:44.60 | $20,250 | |
| 1950 | Siama | 3 | Ovie Scurlock | Moody Jolley | Cain Hoy Stable | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.00 | $20,700 | |
| 1949 | Lithe | 3 | Herb Lindberg | Frank S. Barnett | Hal Price Headley | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.20 | $20,200 | |
| 1948 | Conniver | 4 | Eric Guerin | William Post | Harry La Montagne | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.00 | $19,225 | |
| 1947 | Elpis | 3 | Larry Hansman | Willie Booth | William G. Helis Sr. | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:44.20 | $16,700 | |
| 1946 | Bonnie Beryl | 3 | Hedley Woodhouse | James E. Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:44.20 | $15,615 | |
| 1945 | Moon Maiden | 7 | Wayne D. Wright | Hirsch Jacobs | Isidor Bieber | 1+1⁄8 M | 1:45.40 | $15,615 | |
External links edit
- Video of Ruffian's win in the 1975 Comely Stakes.
References edit
- ^ "Comely Stakes". New York Racing Association (NYRA). 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
- ^ "History Challenge: Comely enjoyed remarkable season in 1914". Daily Racing Form (DRF). 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Bally Ache Dies At Breeding Farm". New York Times. 1960-10-30. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "On the 30th Anniversary of Ruffian's Last Race". Equus Magazine. 2005-07-05. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- ^ "Mom's Command Takes Comely by 4½". New York Times. 1942-06-27. Retrieved 2018-12-22.